2020-03-01_Do_It_Yourself

ORDERING ONLINE

DURING OUR LAST BATHROOM RENO, WE ORDERED SEVERAL BIG-TICKET ITEMS. WE

SHOPPED LOCALLY FOR SOME ITEMS, BUT FOR OTHERS, WE CHOSE ONLINE OPTIONS TO GET

EXACTLY WHAT WE WANTED. HERE’S WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU CLICK “BUY.”

HANDY GIRL

DIY Q&A

My DIY list this season is long and mighty, both inside and

outside. But Handy Girls, we can do it together.

WORDS KELLY ROBERSON ILLUSTRATIONS ANKE REGA

BIG DREAMS,

SMALL STEPS

Handy Girls, my head is in the

clouds, dreaming up ways to

make my home more functional,

fun, and fresh. To get closer to

those dreams, I’m taking small

steps to fi x things so I can create

a more beautiful, welcoming

home. Here’s what’s on my list.

Measure, measure, measure.

Read all the specs carefully

and thoroughly. How big

is the box? How big is the

item, inside and out? Does

that measurement include

its feet? The worst thing is

to be ready to install a sink

and find out it doesn’t fit.

Figure all the charges

before you order. The vent

hood might look like a

great deal, but it may not

be worth it if shipping more

than doubles the cost.

Check that shipping dates

align with your needs. If it

comes early, do you have

a safe spot to store it? Is

delivery door-to-door, or

will the shipping company

bring it inside to the room

where you need it?

Verify the return policy.

Items break en route.

Sometimes they just don’t

work in your space. What

is your retailer’s return

policy and timeline?

34-37_Handy_Girl.indd 34 FINAL 2/7/20 9:10 AM